Indian Journal of Public Health Research & Development
  • Year: 2019
  • Volume: 10
  • Issue: 10

Organized Activities in Peer Groups Improve Mental and Social Well-Being in Adolescents: A Qualitative Study

  • Author:
  • Suharmanto1,2,, Bagong Suyanto3, Windhu Purnomo4, Rahma Sugihartati3, Oedojo Soedirham4, Sutinah3
  • Total Page Count: 6
  • Page Number: 1239 to 1244

1Doctoral Student, Department of Health Promotion and Behavior Science, Faculty of Public Health, Airlangga University, Surabaya

2Lecturer at High School of Health Science Yarsi Mataram, West Nusa Tenggara

3Lecturer at The Faculty of Public Health, Airlangga University, Surabaya

4Lecturer at The Faculty of Politic and Social Science, Airlangga University, Surabaya, Indonesia

*Corresponding Author: Suharmanto, Doctoral Student, Department of Health Promotion and Behavior Science, Faculty of Public Health, Airlangga University. Address: Mulyorejo, Surabaya, Indonesia, e-mail: suhar_manto46@yahoo.com

Online published on 23 December, 2019.

Abstract

Mental and social well-being in adolescents can be improved by organized activities in peer groups. This qualitative study aimed to explore organized activities in peer groupsrelated to mental and social well-being in adolescents.

Five focus groups were carried out with 30 adolescents aged 12–24 in Surabaya, Indonesia. Participants were purposively selected and had all experienced organized activities. A thematic approach was used for analysis and data collection was completed at the point of data saturation.

Four interconnected themes emerged from the data; (a) self-esteem and self-regulation, (b) resilience, hardiness and mental toughness, (c) social adjustment and (d) social support in organized activities. Adolescents who involve in sports, arts, and clubs have high confidence, easiness to control their emotion, stronger in facing various problems. They also felt more adapt, respect, tolerant of others and get social support.

This study demonstrates that organized activities in peer groups improve mental and social well-being. Adolescents can have good self-esteem, self-regulation, resilience, hardiness and mental toughness. Adolescents also can have good social adjustment and social support. One of the efforts to prevent a mental and social problem is early recognition or detection in adolescents.

Keywords

Organized activities, peer groups, mental and social well-being, adolescents, qualitative research, focus groups